Iran has shut down its controversial nuclear programme involving uranium – for now. The decision has been taken following repeated warnings by the UN it might impose sanctions if Iran did nothing. The European Union has taken the lead in negotiations with Iran on the nuclear issue, hoping to reach a long-term agreement. While senior Iranian officials say they will co-operate, they insist they will not scrap Iran’s nuclear programme for good.

While Tehran says it has suspended its nuclear operations, officials from the UN’s International Atomic Agency are in Iran to make sure it is sticking to its word. Iran insists its nuclear facilities like Isfahan are used to enrich uranium for civilian electricity needs; the Americans in particular suspect the real aim is to build nuclear weapons.

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